36 attacks have taken place over the day

The situation in eastern Ukraine remains unchanged as government troops hold their positions in Donbas, ATO Press Centre reports.

“The enemy used mortars to fire at Avdiivka and Nevelske (both in Donetsk region). The only reason the mercenaries use the weaponry banned by Minsk agreements is to provoke Ukrainian troops to return fire. Their final goal is to see that Ukrainian artillery, tanks and mortars return to the frontline and thus show that the Armed Forces allegedly escalate the conflict in Donbas”, reads the message.

Pro-Russia militants fired AA guns, large machineguns, grenade launchers and small arms in the industrial zone of Avdiivka, near Pisky, Luhanske, Novhorodske and Opytne. Novotroitske village took fire, too. In Luhansk region, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions near Novozvanivka and Stepne.

ATO Press Centre reiterated that Ukrainian soldiers only return fire from small arms and grenade launchers, since the use of heavy weapons is prohibited by Minsk agreements.